good penetration with this set up?

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

I also agree, a rid will not stop a 370gr arrow at 300fps.. thats not the reason you lost those elk

[bankwalker]

well i actually found the cow...and the arrow was stuck in the ribs. with one rib being blown to bits and pieces. only 4" of the arrow including the broadhead was passed the ribs. it was a 40yd shot.

i cant say anything more then that...when my dad found the elk 2 days later the arrow was only sticking 4" past the ribs. *note* the arrow could have been pulled out some by the elk  or from hitting branches and w/e but idk about that one. cause that arrow was in there tight. i really dont know. all i know is that the arrow i was shooting to was to light for my setup. the guys at the local shop gave me a new set of arrows and broadheads for thier mistake in setting me up the way they did. and told me that had i been shooting a proper arrow weight then i wouldnt have had that problem  i honestly have no idea...all i know is what i seen.

the second elk i shot/lost was completely my fault. i hesitated on the release and knew it was a horrible shot. the second elk hit dead on the shoulder. and when it took off the arrow snapped off on a tree. i got 20" of arrow back. it was a horrible shot on my part and i know that.

 

[Intruder]

Based on the original question about 386 grns at speed of 270+, it seems like that's within the range of acceptable tolerances for a clean kill on an elk.  It should easily produce KE of mid 50s and be well within the recommended range.  I'm not disagreeing that shooting 400 grns or more may give some added penetration but I'm not sure I'd recommend changing his whole setup if it's shooting well.

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

why would making a simple change to a heavier arrow be a big deal? if hes shooting well he will shoot well with ANY god arrow/BH combo.. its not gear specicfic.. a good shooter can pick up any set up and shoot it well..... stil I would always say shoot over 400 gr   

[yajsab]

I shoot around 370 grns and had no problem harvesting elk.  However, shot placement is the key.  I don't disagree on the heavier arrow.  If you're only getting about 4" of penetration, you're more likely hitting bone/shoulder blade. 

Shot placement is important.  So you should be fine.  But if you can go heavier, then that will be better.

the first elk i had hit a rib. a slick trick should have blown right through a rib. had i been shooting a heavier arrow then i wouldnt have had that problem (more then likely) but you never know...a rib can stop a bullet too. 

the second elk. i will never know.

That is odd.  My previous elk, the arrow snapped the rib and buried in the chest.  I'm only shooting 60# on a 25" DL.  

Go heavy or keep your set up, but practice shot placement.

[huntnfmly]

Thanks everybody.I have been on the fence about heavier but i think it would be best.I am going to go with easton fmj it will make the arrow weight just over 435grains it will slow my bow to about 266fps but that should still be good and shoot fairly flat thanks again

[bowhunter1972]

this was taken in colorado 07 with 125grain tips i shot her at 40 yards 

[bowhunter1972]

sorry guy's it was 06 cow elk not 07

[Old Dog]

i was shooting a 390gr arrow/broadhead setup out of a 70lb bow...somewhere around 300fps. the local shop told me my arrows where legal and i was knew to hunting so i thought that i was ok for hunting. NOT!

That's not a legal setup   6 grains per pound of draw weight at 70# is 420 grains
Whatever shop you went to set you up all right....for a big ticket

Double check the tune of your bow.  If your arrow isn't flying correctly you will lose penetration as well as accuracy.

[Intruder]

why would making a simple change to a heavier arrow be a big deal? if hes shooting well he will shoot well with ANY god arrow/BH combo.. its not gear specicfic.. a good shooter can pick up any set up and shoot it well..... stil I would always say shoot over 400 gr   

Just the expense, depending on what setup he'd need to go to.... if you're talking about buying 12-18 new arrows and/or another half dozen broadheads.  That could easily exceed 200 bucks if he did all that.   

[@RCHER]

huntnfmly, all good feedback here. I'll just add that your original setup is way more than enough to kill an elk. Look at the stats on a trad bow some time. If we held them to the same standard, we'd never get to hunt with our recurves and longbows. Most archers don't even hunt with tackle that will do 280fps.

Accuracy + sharp heads = clean kills

[demontang]

I shot arrows that are around 420gr's and my target arrows are 389gr's and penetrate just as far tell around 40yds.  If your worried about it I would change, there's nothing that will make you second guess a shot and miss or make a bad shot then not have faith in your equipment.

[colockumelk]

I have a question on arrow weight.  I shoot Easton Excels that say 10 gpi.  My arrows are 29 inches and I shoot a 100 grain broadhead (Muzzy MX-3) Since this is only 390 grains of weight does this meen that I am illegal?  I don't know how I can get much heavier unless I switch to a 125 grain broad head, which I don't want to do.

Oh I will either be shooting a Hoyt Alpha Max 32 or a Bowtech Admiral.  Whichever one I buy would be set at 70lbs at 28".  Both their "IBO" ratings are 320 fps.

[Gobble Gobble]

you need to factor in vanes, knock and insert.

[colockumelk]

Okay now I have another question.   

On average how much does the knock, vanes and insert weigh?